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Kedarnath in December
Uttarakhand, India
December Kedarnath is buried under snow at 3583m. The temple is locked. The Mandakini valley is frozen. No access from any direction for non-mountaineering parties. The 2013 disaster site, the reconstructed temple, and the surrounding peaks are sealed in white. The Ganga tributaries flow beneath ice. Kedarnath will return in May. Until then, it belongs to the mountain.
The December story
December Kedarnath is buried under snow and completely sealed. The 2013 flood site, the reconstructed temple, and the surrounding glacial landscape are winter's domain. For spiritual seekers, Ukhimath's winter shrine maintains the Kedarnath tradition. For planners, December is when to start preparing for a May-June visit: online registration, helicopter booking, physical training, and equipment gathering. The Kedarnath experience requires genuine preparation — altitude (3583m), cold (0-10°C even in summer), a 16km mountain trek, and the emotional weight of a place that has seen both profound devotion and devastating disaster. It is not a casual day trip. Prepare properly and it will be one of the most meaningful experiences available in Indian travel.
Why December scores 0/5
Weather
Temple closed for winter. Valley under deep snow. Trek route impassable. Murti moved to Ukhimath. No access until late April next year.
Roads & Access
self drive: Drive to Sonprayag. No cars beyond.. road condition: Char Dham highway. Monsoon landslides.. public transport: Bus to Guptkashi. Shuttle to Gaurikund. Trek or helicopter.. from nearest city: Rishikesh 220km to Gaurikund. Then 16km trek.. last km difficulty: extreme (16km trek)
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 3/5. rescue: SDRF, NDRF during yatra. helpline: Char Dham Yatra: 1364. ambulance: 108 (to Gaurikund only). police station: Kedarnath outpost (seasonal). nearest hospital: Medical camp at Kedarnath (seasonal, basic). District Hospital Rudraprayag 80km.
Network
VI: No, JIO: No, BSNL: Yes, NOTE: Yes, AIRTEL: No. BSNL intermittent at Kedarnath. All networks at Guptkashi. No signal on 16km trek.
Kids
Not ideal for kids — Spiritually profound for older teens
Elevation
3,583m — High altitude, acclimatisation needed
Who should go
- ✓Experienced trekkers / adventurers
- ✓Nobody — buried under snow
- ✓Long-term planners booking May-June helicopter and accommodation
- ✓Fitness beginners starting the 3-month training programme
- ✓Spiritual seekers visiting Ukhimath winter shrine instead
Who should think twice
- ✗First-time travelers
- ✗Anyone with health conditions
- ✗Everyone — buried under snow, completely inaccessible
- ✗No exceptions — even experienced mountaineers avoid this area in December
- ✗Anyone hoping to visit the temple — it's locked until May
- ✗All visitors should plan for May-October instead
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0/5 | Temple closed. Valley buried under 10+ feet snow. Trek route impassable. Kedarnath town completely evacuated. Murti worshipped at Ukhimath for winter. |
| February | 0/5 | Temple closed. Heaviest snowfall month. Avalanche risk in Mandakini valley. Zero access possible. Valley in complete winter hibernation until late April. |
| March | 0/5 | Temple closed. Snow melting at lower points but Kedarnath at 3,583m still buried. Trek route blocked. BRO begins road clearing to Gaurikund. |
| April | 1/5 | Temple opens Akshaya Tritiya (late April, date varies). Trek route clearing. Helicopter bookings surge. Only visit last week if confirmed open. Cold and icy. |
| May | 5/5 | Season opens, 0-12°C. Trek from Gaurikund (16km) or helicopter. Pilgrims surge. Mule and pony bookings essential. Snow patches on trail. Peak spiritual energy. |
| June | 5/5 | Peak pilgrimage, 5-15°C. Helicopters booked months ahead. 6-8 hour queues for darshan. Trek busy but beautiful. Meadows blooming. Book everything far in advance. |
| July | 2/5 | Monsoon makes trek route extremely dangerous. 2013 flood disaster killed 6,000+. Landslides, swollen rivers, slippery trails. Temple open but access life-threatening. |
| August | 2/5 | Peak monsoon. Trek route at its most dangerous. Multiple landslide zones. Helicopter flights cancelled frequently. Pilgrims stranded regularly. Avoid completely. |
| September | 4/5 | Post-monsoon, 2-10°C. Rain retreating. Trek route stabilizing. Far fewer pilgrims — 30-minute darshan instead of 6-hour queues. Autumn scenery beautiful. |
| October | 5/5 | Best for peaceful darshan, 0-8°C. Clear skies, snow-dusted peaks, tiny queues. Trek route at its most scenic. Cold but rewarding. Temple closing mid-Nov. |
| November | 1/5 | Temple closes post-Diwali with Bhai Dooj ceremony. Last helicopter flights early Nov. Snow arriving. Only early Nov viable — check exact closure date. |
| Decemberviewing | 0/5 | Temple closed for winter. Valley under deep snow. Trek route impassable. Murti moved to Ukhimath. No access until late April next year. |
Practical Details
How to reach
Rishikesh 220km to Gaurikund. Then 16km trek.. Roads: Char Dham highway. Monsoon landslides.. Self-drive: Drive to Sonprayag. No cars beyond.. Public transport: Bus to Guptkashi. Shuttle to Gaurikund. Trek or helicopter.. Last stretch: extreme (16km trek)
Elevation
3,583m
Difficulty
hard
Budget tier
budget
Permits required
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Nearby in Uttarakhand scoring high in December
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